Family Blending (FBLF)This variable was introduced in the 2006 Census. It classifies families based on the parent-child relationships within the family. This variable is applicable to couple families. When coding families to the Family Blending classification, temporarily absent children are taken into account.

This classification of family types refers to intact, step, blended and other families:

An intact family is a couple family containing at least one child who is the natural or adopted child of both partners in the couple, and no child who is the step child of either partner in the couple. Note that a child who is either the natural child of one partner but not of the other, or who is reported as being the step child of both parents, is classified as a step child. Intact families may also include other children who are not the natural children of either partner in the couple, such as foster children and grandchildren being raised by their grandparents.

A step family is a couple family containing one or more children, at least one of whom is the step child of one of the partners in the couple, and none of whom is the natural or adopted child of both members of the couple. Note that a child who is either the natural child of one partner but not of the other, or who is reported as being the step child of both parents, is classified as a step child. Step families may also include other children who are neither the natural child nor the step child of either partner in the couple, such as foster children and grandchildren being raised by their grandparents.

A blended family is a couple family containing two or more children, of whom at least one is the natural or adopted child of both members of the couple, and at least one is the step child of either partner in the couple. Blended families may also include other children who are not the natural children of either parent.

Other couple family refers to families containing one or more children where no child is the natural or adopted child of either partner in the couple; and no child is the step child of either parent in the couple. Examples of such couple families include those with foster children of any age, otherwise related or unrelated children aged under 15 years, or grandchildren being raised by their grandparents.

The Family Blending (FBLF) categories and details of their composition are shown below:

1. Intact family with no other children present - a couple family containing at least one child who is the natural or adopted child of both partners in the couple, no child who is the step child of either partner in the couple, and no other children (e.g. otherwise related or unrelated children, such as foster children or grandchildren being raised by their grandparents).

2. Step family with no other children present - a couple family containing one or more children, at least one of whom is the step child of one of the partners in the couple, none of whom is the natural or adopted child of both members of the couple, and no other children (e.g. otherwise related or unrelated children, such as foster children or grandchildren being raised by their grandparents).

3. Blended family with no other children present - a couple family containing two or more children, of whom at least one is the natural or adopted child of both members of the couple, at least one is the step child of either partner in the couple, and there are no other children (e.g. otherwise related or unrelated children, such as foster children or grandchildren being raised by their grandparents).

4. Intact family with other children present - a couple family containing two or more children, of whom at least one is the natural or adopted child of both partners in the couple, none is the step child of either partner in the couple, and at least one is an other child (e.g. an otherwise related or unrelated child, such as a foster child, or a grandchild being raised by his or her grandparents).

5. Step family with other children present - a couple family containing two or more children, of whom at least one is the step child of one of the partners in the couple, none is the natural or adopted child of both members of the couple, and at least one is an other child (e.g. an otherwise related or unrelated child, such as a foster child or a grandchild being raised by his or her grandparents).

6. Blended family with other children present - a couple family containing three or more children, of whom at least one is the natural or adopted child of both members of the couple, at least one is the step child of either partner in the couple, and at least one is an other child (e.g. an otherwise related or unrelated child, such as a foster child, or a grandchild being raised by his or her grandparents).

7. Other couple family with other children only - a couple family containing one or more children, all of whom are neither the natural children of either partner in the couple, nor the step children of both partners in the couple.

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